Rotary internal-combustion engine.



LI. IAMESUN D.j0. LlTLl-l.4 ROTA-RY INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE.

APPLLCATION, FILED DEC.'6. i915'. 1 ,1 89,115. Patented-June 27, 1916.'

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- T. l. JAMESON 6L D. O. LITTL'E. noTAR-Y INTERNAL coMusloN ENGINE'. APPLiCATlON. FILED DEC. 6, 1915.

1 ,1 89, 1 1 5 Patented June 27, 1916.

3 SH'EETS-SHEET 2.

/g /5 4 9 wia- 7 .M Maf/WMM T. J. IAMESON & D. O. LITTLE. ROTARY INTERNAL coMBusTloN ENGINE.

APPLICATIQN FILED DEC. 6. 1915.

l ,1 89', 1 1 5 Patented June 27, 1916,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES OFFICE.

THOMAS J. JAMESON AND DGRGN ORLANDO LITTLE, F WHEATLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTIGN ENGINE.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented June 27, 1916,

Application led December 6, 1915. Serial No. 65,313.

nia,`have invented certain new and usefulV Improvements in Rotary Internal-Combustion Engines; and we do declare the following to be av full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines, and more particularly to those of the rotary type.

The object of the invention is to provide 'a-machinerof the classdescribed which although being of 'comparatively simple and inexpensive construction, will be highly etlicient and durable and will possess a number of advantageous characteristics, novel provision being made for mounting the movable abtmentand for preventing leakage from the combustion chamber around the rotor.

lrVith the above general object in View, the invention'resides in certain novel features ,of construction and in unique combinations 2f parts to lbe hereinafter full) described and Claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawings which constitute a part of this appl1- cation, and in which: a

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the improved engine with the rotors of the compressing and power cylinders shown in elevation; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the Y' -power cylinder and the parts therein; Fig.

jio

3 is a detail section cut through the rotor within the power cylinder on a plane parallel to the axis thereof g' Fig. 4 is a detail verticalsection as viewed on the plane of the diametrically extending line 4-4 of Fig. 2;'rFig. 5 is a vertical transverse section' lthrough the compressing cylinder and parts therein; and Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on theY plane designated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

In describing the invention, reference y will be made to the accompanying drawings by similar reference characters placed on corresponding parts' throughout the several views. To Athis end, the'numeral 1 designates a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted in appropriate bearings 2 and passing through the compressing and power cylinders 3 and 4 respectively, both of such cylinders being shown as formed in sections and as being integrally joined together.

4 Keyed to the shaft 1 and disposed in the power cylinder 4, is a power rotor 5 contacting with the curved wall of said cylinder and having in its periphery a depression 6 "whose front end constitutes an abutment 7 eoacting with a movable abutment 8 which is pivotally mounted within the open inner side of a pocket 9 formed in the aforesaid curved wall of the cylinder 4.

The portions of the wall in question, on opposite sides of the pocket 9, are recessed circumferentially at 10 throughout the width of such wall, these recesses receiving therein' the opposite ends of an arcuate plate 11v which constitutes a packing shoe against which the periphery of the rotor 5- travels. The plate 11 is provided with an open frame-like central portion received snugly in the pocket 9, whereby to hold said plate against shifting. The frame-like portion in question is preferably in the forni of a continuous flange 12 extending outwardly from the plate 11 and surrounding an Opening 13 which is formed therethrough. It is Within tliisopening 13 that the abutment 8 is free to swing, being pivotally mounted upon a pin 14 passing through one of its ends and through the flange 12.

Preferably used in' conjunction with the shoe plate 11, is a pair of set screws 15 threaded through the curved wall of the` cylinder' 4 and bearing against coil springs 15 which exert their tension upon said plate, whereby as the latter wears it is forced inwardly to the necessary extent for retaining it at all times in close Contact vwith the periphery of the rotor 5.

By the features of construction described, itwill be obvious that the plate llserves not onlyas packing means, but as an efficient carrier for the abutment 8, this being therefore very simple yet. desirable construction.

The pocket E) is 'formed with an opening 1t for the reception of a spark plug, and with an intake 17 into which an intake pipe 1h' discharges. such pipe leading from the compressing cylinder 3 and having therein a check valve 19 opening toward the pocket. The. curved wall of the. cylinder 4. at a point spaced from the pocket tl. is formed with an appropriate"exhaust port 20.

In order to ell'ectively cool the engine.` the rotor 5 is of hollow construction as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. heilig .formed with an annular perforated partition 21. whereby it is divided into a pair of 'circular water receiving compartments l2 into which ports '123 formed longitudinally through the shaft. 1. deliver. One of these ports is adapted to admit cool water into the rotor, while. the other one conveys heatedavater therefrom. circulation being preferably created by an appropriate pump (not shown).

lithin the compressing cylinder Il and keyed to the' shaft 1. is any preferred type of compressing rotor 25, such rotor being mounted eccentrically inthe Cylinder and contacting therewith at one point. at which point a packing shoe Q6 isdisposed. The rotor .25 is shown as provided with a pocket 27 in its periphery. capable of receiving.

therein a runner 2S which is normally forced outwaitdly therefrom by a spring29. As shown most clearly in Fig. (i, the outer end of the runner is preferably equipped with a roller 3() to reduce friction.

Disposed to one side of the packing shoe 2o. is an inlet port 31 leading from a carbu roter or mixing valve, while positioned at the other .side of said shoe. is an outlet port 32 with which the pipe 1S communicates. lt will thus be evident that as the shaft. 1 is initially rotated. the runner Q8 will draw a charge of volatile mixture from the carbureter into the cylinder 3 and will then e'xpel such charge through the pipe 18 to -compress the' same in the pocket t). About this time, the abutment 9 moves into the recess 6 in the rotor 5, thus positioning the abutment 7 in advance of the pocket in question. By suitable timing means (not shown), an-eleetric spark is now snapped in the aforesaid pocket. with the result that the charge of volatile mixture therein is ignited, whereupon it expands and presses forwardly on the abutment 7. thus rotating the rotor 5 and starting the entire machine running under its own power. Needless to say, the com- 5 pressing cylinder 3 continually supplies the power cylinder l with explosive mixture. as

' long as the engine is in operation.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be. obviousthat although the construction ot' the engine is comparatively simple and inexpensive. we have provided a machine which will be ehicient and durable. i

ln the drawings. certain specific details of construction have been shown for illustra. tive purposes. and in the preceding .such (1etails have been described. but, obviously, numerous changes may be made' within the scopeof the invention as claimed. without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

'e claim:

1. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder having a pocket in the inner side of its curved wall. a packing shoe inset in a pol'- tion of said curved wall and having an opening communicating with the pocket. a pivotally mounted abutment movable into the opening in thc shoe. a rotor in tlul cylinder having an 'abutment on its periplo-ry. an exhaust port spaced from the pocket. and means for admitting pressure into said pocket. l

L). A rotaryengnul comprising a cylinder having a pocket in the ,inner side of its curved wall, a packing shoe inset in a porf tion of said curved wall and having an opening communicating with the pocket. an abutment pivoted to the shoe and movable into the opening therein. a rotor in the cylinder havingr an abutment on its periphery. an exhaust port spaced from the pocket. and means for admitting pressure into said pocket.

3. A rotary` engine comprising a cylinder having a pocket in the inner side of its curved wall. a packing shoe constituting a portion of said wall and having an open frame-like portion received snugly in the pocket.. an abutment pivotcd to .swing into said open frame-like portion ol' lhe packing shoe. a rotor in the cylinder having an abutment on its periphery. an exhaust port spaced from t-he aforesaid pocket. and means for admitting pressure into said pocket.

4. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder having a pocket in the inner .side of its curved wall. a packing shoe constituting a portion of said curved wall and having an opening registering with said pocket and-a.

'continuous flange projecting outwardly from the edge wall of said opening. and received snugly 1n said pocket. an abutment pivoted to the flange to swuig mtp the opening. a

rotor in the cylinder having an abutment on its periphery.an exhaust port spaced from the aforesaid pocket. and means for admitting pressure into said pocket.

5. A rotary vengine.comprising a cylinder having a pocket .in the inner side of. its curved wall. said wall being recessed in a circumferential direction 'throughout its width in opposite directions from .said pocket. an arcuate packing plate received iu the recessed portions of tbe wall and having between its ends an opening and an integral In testimony w'he1 eof We have hereunto 10 Bange Aextending outwardly from the -edge set nur hands in presence of two subscribing wall of said opening and snugly received in witnesses.

the p'ocket, an abutment pivotally supported THOMAS J JAMESN by the packing plate to swing into the openy 1 ing, a rotor in the cylinder having an abut- DORON ORLANDO LITTLE' ment on 'its periphery, an exhaust port \Vitnesses: spaced from the pocket, and means for ad- ARTHUR J. OLsnN, mitting pressure into said pocket. W, J. CARNEY. 

